Owen Hart vs 1-2-3 Kid-WWF King Of The Ring 16.6.1994.

For an all action 4 minute workrate sprint it doesn't get much better than this. I love how violent they made the dives look, and Owen's bump of a countered irish whip was marvelous. Countered irish whips are one of the spots where I most commonly scratch my head and think about how contemplating the consistency of pro wrestling physics how I should be reacting to any match, but here Owen just blats that corner like a shotgun. The timing on the Northen Lights Suplex false finish was impeccable, Kid's offence was smooth and his kicks even surprisingly good and a spinning heel kick countered into a mid-air German Suplex is something that'd pop you watching 1998 All Japan, let alone a New Generation WWF match, such a brutal spot, and the counter Powerbomb wasn't far behind. ***3/4

Volk Han vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto-RINGS 24.1.1994.

What I'll remember this match for most is probably Yamamoto's second and how his advice lined up with the action. He yelled at Yamamoto to attack the body for a minute and then when Yamamoto finally did so he started celebrating, it was quite the endearing moment. When Yamamoto had control the second would yell at him to watch out, yell at him if he thought a move was coming and so on, and it lead to several cool moments, Yamamoto would get control of Han, and cautiously avoid his counters, but when he'd go for a hold himself (the wesome Reverse STF particularly stood out) he'd often get countered. Yamamoto is polished both standing and on the ground but wherever the fight went it didn't feel like there was a chance for him, he played the roled of the fired up youngster well, but this was more about Han and his awesome highspots, with him kicking away at Yamamoto's hands to break his grip and dragging him across the ring as a bonus. ***1/2